Bar feeding apparatus for centerless grinding machines

ABSTRACT

The bar supporting rolls are journaled in yoke members mounted on carrier beams extending on opposite sides of a main supporting beam. The rolls carried by each carrier beam engage the under peripheral surface of the bars at points spaced 45* circumferentially from the vertical plane passing through the axis of the bar. Screwjacks are provided to move the main beam vertically. Additional screwjacks are provided for moving the carrier beams transversely of the main beam. The movements of the main beam and the carrier beams are linear. A motor serves as a common power source to operate all of the screwjacks in unison, imparting transverse movement of each carrier beam equal to the vertical movement of the main beam, whereby the 90* contact spacing of the rolls with the bars is maintained for bars of all diameters. Means is provided for adjusting each yoke member relative to the carrier beam toward and from the axis of the bars to compensate for war on the rolls.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Robert L. Schaller Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Camillus; Attorney-D. Emmett Thompson James M. Magistro, Clay, N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 817,094 [22] Filed Apr. 17, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 23, 1971 [73] Ass'gnee sundsrand'Engdberg ABSTRACT: The bar supporting rolls are journalled in yoke Syracuse members mounted on carrier beams extending on opposite sides of a main supporting beam-The rolls carried by each car- [5 BAR fie} beam engage the under Surface of the barS at GRINDING MACHINES points spaced 45 circumferentially from the vertical plane 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs. passing through the axis of the bar. Screw acks are provided to 7 move the main beam vertically. Additional screwjacks are U-S. for moving the carrier beams transversely of the 51/78, 5 139 main beam. The movements of the main beam and the carrier [51] Ila. Cl B24) 47/02 beams are linear, A motor serves as a common power source [50] Field of Search 5 .215, {o operate all ofthe screwjacks in unison, imparting transverse 25-1, 215-7, 78, 139; q movement of each carrier beam equal to the vertical move- 56 R f cud ment of the main beam, whereby the 90 contact spacing of 1 e the rolls with the bars is maintained for bars of all diameters. UNITED STATES PATENTS Means is provided for adjusting each yoke member relative to 2,754,640 7/1956 Fuller et al 51/215 the carrier beam toward and from the axis of the bars to com- 2,775,077 12/1956 Whittenberg 5 1/2 I 5(X) pensate for war on the rolls.

l s 5 mo 15 ll: '00 F215" "3 I05 I04 91 ",4: I3"-u""ili3 I a I M :57! 152 PATEN TED m2 3 12m SHEET 1 OF 5 INVENTORS ROBERT L. SCHALLER. JAMES M MAGISTRO PATENTED M23197: 3

INVENTORS. ROBERT L. SCHALLER. JAMES M. MAGISTRO.

PAINTED- M23197;

SHEET 3 BF 5 INVENTORS L. SCHALLER. JAMES M. MAGISTRO.

PATE NTED MAR 23 I97! SHEET & UF 5 INVENTORS, L. SCHALLER. M. MAGISTRO ROBERT JAMES I PATENTED mm m:

SHEET 5 BF 5' IN NTO ROBERT L. HALL R. JAMES M. MAGISTRO.

t i v I r a a F F I I I I n I I! i n I I I I I v I I I BAR FEEDING APPARATUS FOR CENTERLESS GRINDING MACHINES BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention has as an object bar supporting and feeding apparatus for use in conjunction with centerless grinding machines.

In general, an elongated main supporting beam is mounted on a base. Screwjack means is provided for adjusting the beam vertically. There is a carrier beamextending in juxtaposition along each side edge of the main beam. Each carrier beam is mounted on the main beam for sliding movement in a direction transversely thereof. Bar supporting rolls are journaled in yoke members spaced along each carrier beam. Additional screwjacks carried by the main beam are operatively connected to each carrier beam. A motor connected to all of the screwjacks effects operation thereof in unison, and the carrier beams are individually moved laterally a distance equal to the vertical movement imparted to the main beam. This results in the supporting rolls mounted on each carrier beam engaging the bar at points spaced apart 90, whereby bars of all diameters are properly cradled in the rolls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the left end portion of a machine embodying our invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the right portion of the machine.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the left portion of the machine.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the right portion of the machine.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6, FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7, FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a view taken on line 9-9, FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION screwjack housings 27. The rams 28 of the jacks are provided at their lower ends with feet 29 engaging pads 30 mounted on the upper surface of the base member 21, The rams 28 are in the form of screws actuated by wonn gear nuts mounted in the jack housing 27. The nuts are rotated by worms mounted in extensions 33 formed on the housings 27. The worm shafts are connected by shafts 35. Rotation is imparted to the shafts 35 by a reversible motor 36 attached to the underside of the main beam 25, see FIG. 1. With this arrangement, all of the jacks are operated in unison to effect vertical movement of the main beam toward and from the base structure. The exposed lower portions of the rams 28 are enclosed by protective bellows boots 37. The beam 25 is maintained in proper position on the base structure by guide pins 38 slidably mounted in vertical bearing columns 39 mounted on pads 30.

Plates 40 are affixed to the top surface of the beam 25 at spaced intervals therealong. The plates 40 are formed with ways extending transversely of the beam 25 to slidably receive the base portions of the brackets 41. The brackets 41 are slidably retained in the plates 40 by gibs 43, see FIG. 7. The plates 40 are each fonned with two sets of ways to receive a pair of brackets 41 in side-by-side relation. The brackets 41 are formed at their outer ends with pads 45 inclined upwardly and outwardly at an angle of 45.

The pads 45 of brackets 41 are fixedly secured to the surfaces 49 of tubular carrier beams 50. The brackets 41 of each run 1 .....1 A. LA .5. our at the machine, FIG. 4L However, these machines are 20, or more, feet in length, and there are additional brackets 41 mounted along the beam 25 to provide adequate support for the carrier beams 50. For reference purposes, the outer upper surface of the beams 50 are indicated at 51, .and the contiguous outer lower surfaces at 52.

Screwjack means is provided for moving the carrier beams 50 transversely of the beam 25. At intervals spaced along the top surface of the beam 25, there is affixed thereto brackets 55, see FIG. 5. A screwjack 57 is affixed to each of the brackets 55. The rams 60 of jacks 57 extend laterally toward the beams 50 and are attached to brackets 61 fixed to the surfaces 49 of the carrier beams 50. The jacks 57 embody construction similar to the elevating jacks 27. The jacks 57 are mounted on the brackets 55 with the worm gear shafts 67 of all the jacks arranged in axial alignment. The jacks 57 are arranged in pairs, see FIGS. 3 and 4, and the shafts are interconnected by a shaft 69 which is operatively connected to the motor 36 by a chain drive 70, see FIGS. 1 and 5. Accordingly, when the elevating jacks 27 are operated, the carrier beam jacks 57 are operated in unison therewith, whereby the beams 50 are moved transversely of the main beam 25 toward and from the vertical plane intersecting the passline 71 in which all bars 73, regardless of diameter, are positioned. The magnitude of movement of each carrier beam 50 is equal to the extent of the vertical movement imparted to the main beam 25.

A series of bar supporting rolls 75 are spaced along each of the carrier beams 50. Each roll 75 is fixedly mounted on a shaft 76, see FIG. 9, journaled in bifurcated members, such as yokes 77. The surfaces 49 of the carrier beams 50 are formed with apertures in which are positioned sleeves 80. Each sleeve is formed with a radial flange 81 of rectangular form fixed to the beam 50, as by welding. A plate 83. also of rectangular form and dimensioned comparable to the flange 81, is positioned in overlying relation to the flange and is fixed thereto, as by screws 85. The plates 83 are formed with cylindrical portions 88 extending into the sleeves 80. Each yoke member 77 is formed with a cylindrical stem 90 journaled in the flange 88 of plate 83 and is retained therein by screw 91, see FIG. 9. The stems are positioned perpendicular to the surfaces 49 of the carrier beams 50, and the arrangement is such that the axes of the stems 90 intersect the axes of the roll shafts 76, and the pass line 71 in which the bars are positioned. To compensate for wear on the rolls 75, the plates 83 are adjustable in a direction along the axis of the stems 90 toward and from the pass line 71. The plates 83 are provided with adjusting screws 93. If screws 85 are loosened, and screws 93 are tightened. the plates 83 are moved in a direction away from the flanges 81. Accordingly, when the screws 85 are again tightened, the rolls 75 have been repositioned toward the pass line 71.

The yoke members 77 are formed with outwardly extending bosses 95 apertured to receive bolts 96 by means of which connecting rods 97 are pivotally connected to the bosses 95. The yoke members 77, so connected together by the rods 97, are rotated in unison about the axes of the stems 90 by a piston rod 98 operating in cylinders 99 mounted on the carrier beams 50 at the left hand of the machine, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The shafts 76 of the rolls 75, mounted on each carrier beam 50, are interconnected by shafts 100.

A motor 101 is mounted on the main beam 25, see FIGS. 1 and 3. The motor is operatively connected to a gear reduction 102, the output shaft 103 of which is connected to one series of rolls by shaft 104 through universal joints 105, 106. The rolls of the other set are driven from a shaft 107, through shaft 108, universal joints 109, 110. The shaft 107 is operated in unison with the shaft 103 through a chain or cog belt 111. The shafts are connected to the roll shafts 76 by universal "joints 113 to permit adjustment of the yoke members 77 about the axis of the stems 90 by cylinders 99.

The apparatus described embodies a structure economical to build and wherein the feed rolls 75 are adjusted on linear paths to accommodate bars 73 of all diameters within the m nf the machine and hare nf all diameters are msitinned on the preselected pass line 71. Also, it will be apparent that the supporting rolls 75 mounted on carrier beams 50 engage the bar at points spaced 90 apart and this spacing is main tained for bars of all diameters, whereby all bars are properly cradled in the rolls.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for supporting and moving bars axially on a predetermined pass line in centerless grinding machines comprising a base, an elongated support beam mounted on said base for vertical movement toward and from said pass line. a first series of roll-supporting units mounted on said support beam and spaced therealong adjacent one side edge thereof, a second series of roll-supporting units spaced along said beam adjacent the opposite side thereof, a bar-supporting roll journaled in each of said roll-supporting units, the roll-supporting units of each of said series being fixedly interconnected and movable in unison transversely of said beam toward and from the vertical plane intersecting said pass line, support beam screwjack means operable to move said support beam vertically, screwjack means operatively connected to each of said series of roll-supporting units and operable to move the same transversely of said support beam, a common power drive means connected to both of said screwjack means for operation thereof in unison, said screwjack means connected to each of said series of roll-supporting units effecting movement thereof a distance equal to the distance of the vertical movement of said support beam by said support beam screwjack means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said roll-supporting units in each of said series are mounted on an elongated carrier beam member mounted on said support beam for movement transversely thereof.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bar-supporting rolls in each of said roll-supporting units is journaled in a yoke member, and means for adjusting each of said yoke members individually toward and from said pass line.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said roll-supporting units includes a yoke member, said rolls being journaled in said yoke members, said yoke members being spaced along an elongated carrier beam member, and means for adjusting said yoke members individually toward and from said carrier beam.

5. Apparatus for supporting and moving bars axially on a predetermined pass line in centerless grinding machines comprising a base, an elongated support beam mounted on said base for vertical movement toward and from said pass line, a carrier beam extending in juxtaposition to each side edge of said support beam, said carrier beams being affixed to brackets slidably mounted on said support beam for movement transversely thereof, a series of yoke members mounted on each of said carrier beams, a bar-supporting roll journaled in each of said yoke members, each of said yoke members being mounted on said carrier beams for adjustment about an axis inclined toward and intercepting said pass line, means interconnecting the yoke members mounted on each of said carrier beams for rotating said yoke members about said axis in unison.

6, Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said yoke members are journaled in socket members mounted on said carrier beams, and means for adjusting said socket members relative to said carrier beams on said inclined axis toward and from said pass line.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said yoke members are journaled in socket members mounted on said carrier beams, and means for adjusting said socket members relative to said carrier beams on said inclined axis toward and from said pass line, and means for detachably mounting said socket members on said carrier beams.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 a 571 981 Dated March 23 7 Robert L. Schaller et al Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet in the Abstract, last line, "war" should read wear Column 1, line 74, after "left" inser end of the machine, Figure 3, and at the right end of the Column 2, line 74 after "within the" cancel the indistinct line and insert rang of the machine, and bars of all diameters are positioned Signed and sealed this 30th day of November 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Pa 

1. Apparatus for supporting and moving bars axially on a predetermined pass line in centerless grinding machines comprising a base, an elongated support beam mounted on said base for vertical movement toward and from said pass line, a first series of roll-supporting units mounted on said support beam and spaced therealong adjacent one side edge thereof, a second series of roll-supporting units spaced along said beam adjacent the opposite side thereof, a bar-supporting roll journaled in each of said roll-supporting units, the roll-supporting units of each of said series being fixedly interconnected and movable in unison transversely of said beam toward and from the vertical plane intersecting said pass line, support beam screwjack means operable to move said support beam vertically, screwjack means operatively connected to each of said series of roll-supporting units and operable to move the same transversely of said support beam, a common power drive means connected to both of said screwjack means for operation thereof in unison, said screwjack means connected to each of said series of roll-supporting units effecting movement thereof a distance equal to the distance of the vertical movement of said support beam by said support beam screwjack means.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said roll-supporting units in each of said series are mounted on an elongated carrier beam member mounted on said support beam for movement transversely thereof.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bar-supporting rolls in each of said roll-supporting units is journaled in a yoke member, and means for adjusting each of said yoke members individually toward and from said pass line.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said roll-supporting units includes a yoke member, said rolls being journaled in said yoke members, said yoke members being spaced along an elongated carrier beam member, and means for adjusting said yoke members Individually toward and from said carrier beam.
 5. Apparatus for supporting and moving bars axially on a predetermined pass line in centerless grinding machines comprising a base, an elongated support beam mounted on said base for vertical movement toward and from said pass line, a carrier beam extending in juxtaposition to each side edge of said support beam, said carrier beams being affixed to brackets slidably mounted on said support beam for movement transversely thereof, a series of yoke members mounted on each of said carrier beams, a bar-supporting roll journaled in each of said yoke members, each of said yoke members being mounted on said carrier beams for adjustment about an axis inclined toward and intercepting said pass line, means interconnecting the yoke members mounted on each of said carrier beams for rotating said yoke members about said axis in unison.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said yoke members are journaled in socket members mounted on said carrier beams, and means for adjusting said socket members relative to said carrier beams on said inclined axis toward and from said pass line.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said yoke members are journaled in socket members mounted on said carrier beams, and means for adjusting said socket members relative to said carrier beams on said inclined axis toward and from said pass line, and means for detachably mounting said socket members on said carrier beams. 